GIRLS’ SOFTBALL SPORT SHORTS, 2012-13–
(Scrimmages do not count toward win/loss record. Visit the Sports Section for girls’ softball features. For a simple overview of scores and upcoming games, check the Spring sport box scores, 2013 for dates, opponents and times for all Eagle sports.)

Be sure to visit the 2012-13 girls’ softball schedule, home page, or check out Maxpreps.com. The Eagles are currently 2-10 overall and 0-4 in the West Sequoia League as of April 18. The Eagles will next play against the Riverdale Cowgirls, April 22.

EAGLES LOSE CLOSE LEAGUE MATCHUP

The Eagles traveled to play the Minarets High School Mustangs in their fourth league game of the 2013 season, April 18 at 4 p.m.

Neither team scored in the first inning, but the Mustangs were the first to put points on the board with one run during the second inning. FC took the lead in their third ups and Minarets was unable to answer until the bottom of the fourth inning, making the score 3-2 with the Eagles in the lead.

The fifth inning produced one run for the Eagles and three for the home team with a two-run homer hit by the Mustangs’ pitcher. The sixth inning remained scoreless for both teams, and the game ended as the Eagles were unable to pull ahead in the final inning. The Mustangs defeated the Eagles by a close 5-4, making this the fifth consecutive FC loss.

Assistant coach Lisa Mejia appreciated the increase in focus and confidence that the team displayed this game, even though it was a loss. Since softball is supposed to be fun and not stressful, she is glad that her players are starting to relax and learn to work together and depend on each other. Looking back on the game, the main thing she believes needs to improve is the Eagles’ aggressiveness at the plate, which should decrease the number of watched third strikes.

“Our intensity level was the best so far this game!” Mejia said. “The girls had alot of fun and that is what we are out here for. We need to eliminate striking out looking give ourselves that extra chance.”

Mejia has enjoyed watching the game of softball begin to make sense in the girls’ minds, especially the first-year players, as they have practiced and gained game experience. Although the team is still far from perfect, she believes the defense has become more consistent and the girls’ at-bats more productive, With this new growth, she is looking forward to future games and hopes for continued improvement.

“We just lost focus at the end and when we gained it back it was too late,” Mejia said. “This game was fun to be coaching, and they are starting to understand softball more and more. I’m hoping for the same intensity next game and for the girls to keep swinging the bats!”

Sophomore Gaby Siquieros saw a good deal of teamwork and effort in the game from each of the girls, and observed that the game was lost only due to minor defensive mistakes that their opponents were able to capitalize on. Although she thinks the girls needed to stay more encouraging and positive for all of the game instead of becoming discouraged when they were behind, she still was pleased with the performance from her team because of the improvements she sees from each player.

“We played great and played up to our potential,” Siquieros said. “I think we lost mainly because their pitcher hit a home run that brought in two runners towards the very end of the game. We need to make sure that we are always talking and encouraging one another throughout the whole game instead of only when we are doing well.”

Siquieros believes the Eagles stayed in the game because of their attitude going into the game. She noticed that, because they arrived to play hard, regardless of how good their opponent was, they were able to make plays and work together as a team, and she hopes to see the same drive and focus in future games.

“We all went in willing to give our best no matter how good or bad the other team was,” Siquieros said. “We were focused and played good defense. I hope to see everyone pumped and ready to win at the next game.”

This writer can be reached on Twitter at @JennaWeimer42.

For more information, see the April 19 article, Softball sport shorts: Caruthers.